The Atlanta Regional Commission, as the Area Agency on Aging for the 10-county region, will hold a public hearing to hear from older adults, family caregivers and service providers on current and future service needs for older residents. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, December 5 at 9:30 AM at the Helene S. Mills Multipurpose Center, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak for up to three minutes each. Those wishing to speak may register beginning at 9:00 AM. Participants may also submit written comments that will be included as part of the official record. Anyone not able to attend the December 5 hearing may post comments here.
ARC contracts with nearly two dozen county-based and specialized agencies to provide a continuum of home and community-based services designed to support older adults as the age and to help them remain in the community with a high quality of life. Older citizens and their families have many options, including information and referral services, case management, transportation, home-delivered meals, senior centers, legal services and more through this network of care.
Much of the funding for these services is provided under the Older Americans Act. The act identifies four priorities: increase the number of older people who have access to an integrated array of health and social supports; increase the number of older people who stay active and healthy; increase the number of families who are supported in their efforts to care for their loved ones at home and in the community; and increase the number of older people who benefit from programs that protect their rights and prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
December 4, 2008 at 6:36 am
Every senior agency in Georgia is facing probably the worst financial condition since the Older Americans Act was started.
This situation will get even worse in 2009. It is now time to take a hard look at how this will affect the various programs and personnel in your area, and plan accordingly. It is possible that a bare bones scenario should be considered, and a hard look as how to react to this possibility.
December 4, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Families are increasingly being challanged with the care of their elderly relatives as our population ages. They are dealing with the need to giving hands on care, maintaining nutrition and continuing socialization during an acute health crisis. Continued funding of the congrete food program is a key support element to helping these families to be care givers to their elderly family members.
Senior Centers are making a difference in the physical and mental health of Seniors in Rockdale County. The classes presented, which focus on healthy behaviors, actually are changing behaviors and producing healthier, very involved in life people. Adequate funding is essential!
December 4, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I believe that continued funding is essential for the senior and the senior centers of Rockdale County. This will provide seniors good food and somewhere to go instead of staying at home alone.
December 5, 2008 at 8:34 am
I HAVE BEEN A MEMBEER OF THIS CENTER FOR 5YEARS, IT HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY DAILY ROUTINE BECAUSE I AM A WIDOW AND THE PROGRAMS THA T THEY OFFER ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND MANY OTHERS.
PLEASE KEEP OUR FUNDING FOR OUR MEALS AND RECREATION, MANY NEW PERSONS ALSO DEPEND UPON THIS CENTER.
December 5, 2008 at 8:37 am
The senior services is a central part of our lives. It provides a place for us to meet each day, and a place to meet people. I provides a lot of activities for us which is a great way of keeping us active and sane. We need every help we can get, financial and otherwise. Please, please, please a cut in the budget would be devastating. We recently had our facility ungraded and are try our best to keep it in good shape.
December 5, 2008 at 8:41 am
Senior Services provide needed services for me and entertainment to make my day.
Meals are supplied at a nominal fee.
Exercise is provided to enhance existance.
December 5, 2008 at 8:44 am
It is very important that Senior Services keep our funding because this is a vital part of my life to come here everyday to maintain my wellness. I am 77 yrs old and the meals help me maintain my nutritional health needs as I am a terrible cook. Without this center and its classes and programs, all I would have left is an old chair in my den and a tv remote.
December 5, 2008 at 8:56 am
Rockdale Senior Services is the center of my life. I live alone and am 81 yrs old. Mon. Thru Fri. I drive here to be with people, get great meals and learn new way to keep healthy. I look around me here and see many, many other golden age people keeping healthy and involved in life just like me. Our funding is vital to all of our lives. God Bess you for helping me.
December 5, 2008 at 9:04 am
I sincerely hope that the funding will continue. I have come out of my shell since coming to the Center I lost my wife in 2007 and continued to feel sorry for my self. I have met so many great people and even
learned how to use the computer. I am 87 years old and am now taking advantage of anythinh that gives me pleasure. PLEASE CONTINUE OUR FUNDING HERE.
December 5, 2008 at 9:09 am
I am a 76 year old widower who lives alone with 4 dogs who love me. The dogs can’t cook good food or talk but my senior center fills these needs.It is a little slice of heaven here in my county of Rockdale. Please do not take away or cut these service as I need them so much . I don’t feel so alone anymore.
December 5, 2008 at 9:16 am
please keep the senior centers open! It is like going to a job again as it gives us a purpose every day to get up and get dressed and have some place to go and things to do and people to serve in the community. I have made some very good friends that i would not have otherwise have not met. We appreciate all consideration that you could give us.
sincerely
December 5, 2008 at 9:25 am
Senior Centers in Georgia provide, (often many times) the only opportunity for seniors to have a social life, interact with folks their own age and to learn new things. Games, clubs, shopping, visiting, dining together, many things to add to the quality of life for us. Cutting the funding for senior centers would be a great detriment to the well-being of so many of us! Please don’t harm us this way!!
December 5, 2008 at 9:32 am
I am 71 yrs old and live alone and dont cook just for me anymore. This senior center provides the missing element than I cant provide myself anymore.I don’t have enough money now to keep me going . The center fills this gap now. I have better nutrition, socialization skills, and new skill on the computer that help maintain my self esteem. Life is good interacting with people again daily.Help us maintain our funding please. thank you
December 5, 2008 at 9:56 am
My center is a lot of fun. I come every day. So you might say this is now the center of my life.I am how a healthy senior instead of a shut in. I now eat right, learned to work the computer, play pool with my friends and just chat with all the people I now love Senior services funding is the cause of a better more productive life for thousands of people like me. Please maintain our funding.
December 5, 2008 at 10:23 am
The Senior Center is a vital part of my husbands and my life. My husband is disabled,felt sorry for himself with nothing to do at home. My daughter found the Senior Center on line,we have been here ever since.I don’t know what predictment we would be in if we had not come to the senior center.With all of the activities,fun people to be with has changed our lives. We have become involved with everything that goes on and enjoy every minute of it. Please don’t take this away from us. We,the seniors,have paid our dues thru our employed years and we are still trying to help out where we can. We love this place. Please,please reconsider this for we will be losing more than you know or understand.
December 5, 2008 at 11:04 am
Seniors requesting bus route to take them shopping for food and other personal things. I personally thank everyone that operate this center for the oppertunity that I have to come here and meet new people.
December 5, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I believe that continued funding is essential for the Senior Services in Rockdale County. The cuts will effect many services. Meals on Wheels, Respite/homemeker service, congregate, transportation and staffing. I have worked as a Case Manager Supervisor for many years. I know that these cuts will affect the homebound clients. The question is asked by many are the homebound client: “What are we going to do?” some are these clients are lonely and depressed, and they are on a fixed income, most of these seniors have worked most of their lives. I am asking that we don’t let our elderly people down. Please stop the cuts.